Book 57   6TH June 2009 – 9th September 2009   Penn, C.  (2009) (Fig. 56). 6TH June 2009 – 9th September 2009.   Unique artist’s book. Fold Glue binding. Book comprising 83 letters/cards, envelopes, ephemera, stamps, paper, photographs. 11.5cm x 10cm x  9.5cm.  Book 57.  Collection: Cheryl Penn

After completing Book 36 (18th May 2009 – 13th June 2009) I did not stop receiving letters from people I had requested them from, and found the process of mailed journal pages  compulsive.  I carried on the journaling  and continued to receive cards and letters from others, whilst at the same time beginning to research Mail Art.  I had not known of its existence.  I found the work of Ray Johnson, who is cited as the founding father of mail art, very interesting.  One particular point I noted was that he generally  included some sort of mail ephemera in/on his posted works; stamps, airmail stickers, registered post stickers, whatever he could lay his hands on.

With reference to this working methodology,  I have collected three limited edition standard stamp issues which form part of the content of this book, as well as using a variety of stamps in order to reach R2.25 which is the current standard post.  In February 2009 the post office issued a limited quantity of “All You Need Is Love” stamps to commemorate Valentine’s day, in April 2009 they issued “Artworks from the Constitutional Court” and there has been a reissue of the Olympic Games 2000 stamps.  Complete collectors sheets of these are included as part of this book.  The idea for the formation of The Mail Art School SA was as a result of this book.

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